Cigarette making machine



..M;1rchl5,1 93 2 'F F.RUAU. 1,850,050

CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE Filed July 22, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR March 1 5, 1932. F. F. RUAU 1,850,050

' CIGARETTE MAKING MACHINE i Filed July 2 2, 1930 2 Shpets-Sheef 2 INVENTOR Patented Mar. 15, 1932 v j Y rssu tsa PA E T CE t; i

FELIX rB-Enrmc' RUAU, v or onnon, ENGLAND CIGARETTE mAKInG MAonInE Application filed July 22,1930, Serial No. 472,687,.and in Great, Britain .August.14', 1929;=

This invention relates to cigarette mak-,

ing machines of the continuous rod type, and more particularlyto-a ledgerv plate mechanism for use in the rod'cutting apparatus of such machines,and has for its object the provision of a ledger'plate mechanism wherein the reciprocating parts are lighter than in ledger plate mechanisms hitherto in use, and in which the usual pivoted joints are dispensed with, thus obviating the necessity for lubrication and avoiding the presence of oil which near the tobacco is extremely objectionable as the tobacco easily absorbs the oil or its vapour and consequently the flavour 16 of the tobacco is spoilt.

7 Further, owing to the fact that the ledger plate is mounted upon a yieldable member 7 under tension, it is always, bearing against the actuating mechanism thereof, and thus thereis no tendency to rattle between the moving parts. 7

The invention comprises a ledger plate mechanism for cigarette making machines of the continuous rod type which" comprises a ledger plate supported by a yieldable member or members connected at one end to the machine frame and arranged to be oscillated.

against; the tension of said member or members in the direction of the axis thereof. The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings,in which V i t Fig. 1 illustrates a front elevation of a ledger plate, mechanism constructed in accordance with the invention, and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig.1. V Referring to the drawings, the. ledger plate comprises a pair of tubular membersl of light metal each adapted to surround the cigarette rod adjacent to the pathof the cutting blade 2 and are separated from one another by a distance sufficient for the blade to pass between the two members and effect the cutting operation. The tubular mem bers are each provided with a liner of hard ened steel (not shown) and each end of the said member has downwardly projecting flanges 3 which merge into a block 4. The block 4 is rigidly attached by plates 5 and 5 bolts 6 to wide fiat springs 7, the lower ends 1 vided which has no hinged joints, and consefor engaging a moving cigarette rod, of a of which are-rigidly attached to a lug 8 projecting from the frame9 of the cigarette machine. I V

The ledger plate mechanism is oscillated v by a connecting, rod 10 driven by .a crank disc 11, and attached to an extension 12 of one end plate 5. The bearings at each end of the connectingrod 10 are preferably inthe form of totally enclosed ball races which are lubri cated at long intervals by being packed with grease in the usual manner.

It will be seen that when the crank disc 11 rotates, the springs 7 bend and permit the ledger plate to oscillate and at the same time maintain the tubular portion 1 in a substantially horizontal position. ,7 V

A bracket 13 is mounted on top of the block 4 and embraces a rod 14 fixed to theframe of the machine so that if one of the springs 7 should break during the operation of the machine, the ledger plate is prevented from falling from its normal path. i

It will be seen that by this invention a reciprocating ledger plate mechanism is proquently, has no wearing parts. The whole mechanism is much lighter in construction .than ledger plates of the kind hitherto constructed, thus permitting the machine toopcrate at a higher speed without undesirable vibration.

WhatI claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is V 1. In apparatus for use in cigarette making machines, the combination with aledger plate for engaging a moving cigarette rod, of flexi le means for supporting said plate, means for flexing said supporting means to shift said plate axially of the rod and auxiliary supporting means for said plate.

2. In apparatus for use in cigarette making machines, the combinationwith a ledger plate pairof fiat springs, said springs being mounted at one end on the machine frame and 0011- nected at their opposite ends to spaced points on said ledger plate, and facing in the direction of movement of the rod, and means for I flexingssaid springs to reciprocate said plate.

,3. In apparatus for use in cigarette making machines, the combination With a ledger plate for engaging a moving cigarette rod, a yieldable support for' said plate, reciprocating means connected to said plate for moving the 5 latter axially of the rod, guide means on said plate, and cooperating guide means mounted on the machine frame. 1

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

FELIX FEEDER-IO RUAU. 

